Ashland board says ‘no’ to statue of marathon dog

ASHLAND, Mass — He had become known as the Official Dog of the Boston Marathon. For seven years, through heavy rain and high heat, Spencer the Golden Retriever occupied the same spot on the Ashland portion of the race -- flags of encouragement hanging from either side of his mouth.

“He just felt the energy of the marathon and he sent it back ten-fold,” said Spencer’s owner, Rich Powers. “He delivered positive light and energy. When you touched him he was just like an angel. He was extremely special.”

Others apparently thought so, too. After Spencer died last February of liver cancer, Powers said hundreds of people sent messages of condolence from all over the country. And some of them suggested making Spencer a permanent fixture along the marathon route -- by erecting a statue.

“Well, I was like... I’m biased and couldn’t agree more,” Powers said.

In the next few months, volunteers got the statue wheels in motion -- including the hiring of a sculptor (Jeff Buccacio of Canton) and raising the necessary funds to pay for the bronze likeness of Spencer, which will stand a little more than three feet tall.

But where to put it?

“We were thinking, where Spencer always stood, near the (Ashland) Community Center, would be a good spot,” Powers said.

The goal to put the statue AT the Ashland Community Center seemed to make sense. Not only was it near Spencer’s spot -- but the Center has a great deal of land bordering the marathon route.

But that placement would require permission from Ashland’s Select Board. So, about two weeks ago, Rich Powers made his pitch -- and immediately ran into opposition.

Some board members complained that despite Spencer’s appearances at the Boston Marathon, he was not ‘of’ Ashland -- that is, the dog didn’t serve as a police canine -- or make appearances at schools or senior centers in the town.

“Spencer, who was from Holliston, was a special dog that was loved by so many,” said Board Member Brandi Kinsman in a statement supplied to Boston 25 News. “I personally felt that Spencer’s connection was with the marathon, not specifically Ashland.”

Kinsman said any private statue on public property would become the town’s responsibility -- and that should be reserved for subjects with a deep connection to the community.

Kinsman, along with Board members Claudia Bennett and Joseph Magnani, Jr. voted against allowing the statue on Community Center land. Robert Scherer and Yolanda Greaves voted in favor.

In a statement to Boston 25, Scherer said he had no problem locating the statue on town property, both because it was close to Spencer’s ‘spot’ and the town was getting it for free.

“It is appropriate to memorialize Spencer and the runners he inspired in the years following the Marathon bombing,” Scherer said. “Ashland has a strong history with the Marathon and I feel that Spencer is an important chapter in that story.”

Powers said that since the Select Board vote, he’s had several private property owners -- even one close to the Community Center -- offer him a spot for the statue.

As Kinsman said in her statement, “It’s not a matter of if there will be a statue, but more about its location.”

How do Ashland residents feel about making Spencer a permanent fixture on town land? The only poll taken on the subject suggests they strongly support the idea. Boston.com found 82% in favor, and just 18% opposed.

Powers hopes the Select Board, seeing numbers like that, might have a change of heart. But he’s considering the other location offers -- and, at the same time, breaking in a ‘new’ Spencer. Jimmy, who is five months old, was donated to Powers by Golden Opportunities for Independence, a Walpole organization that breeds Golden Retrievers for use as therapy and community service dogs.

Jimmy is filling a giant hole in the Powers’ household. Shortly after Spencer died, their other Golden, Penny, also passed -- as a result of fast-moving cancer known as hemangiosarcoma.

Powers said Jimmy, an English Golden Retriever, is very intelligent and has already learned to carry a flag in his mouth.

“I would say he’s got Spencer’s brains,” Powers said. “But he’s got Penny’s all-about-me attitude. He’s smart -- but he’s also smart enough to get what he wants.”

Jimmy’s also got movie-star good looks -- and promises to be a huge hit at next year’s Boston Marathon -- where he’ll be standing where Spencer once stood.

If you would like to meet ‘Jimmy,” the new ‘official’ Boston Marathon dog, he’ll be holding a ‘Meet and Greet’ next Saturday, July 29th from 3 to 7 PM at The Happy Retriever, 200 Summer Street, Holliston. A small donation is suggested, with proceeds going towards the Spencer statue and research into canine cancer.

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